A UN assessment reveals only 4.6% of Gaza's farmland remains cultivatable, with over 80% damaged as of April 2025. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Satellite Center report just 688 hectares of arable land survive in the war-torn strip, threatening food production and escalating famine risks.
Infrastructure Collapse Compounds Crisis
Agricultural systems face near-total breakdown: 71% of greenhouses and 83% of irrigation wells are destroyed. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol states this represents "a collapse of Gaza's agrifood system" – a vital lifeline for 560,000 residents who relied on farming and fishing before the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict.
Economic Shockwaves
Agriculture previously contributed 10% to Gaza's economy. Current losses exceed $2 billion, with reconstruction costs estimated at $4.2 billion. Northern Gaza and Rafah face near-total farmland inaccessibility, leaving recovery efforts in limbo.
